Nutcracker.



F. W. FORTv NUTCRACKER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1916.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. W. FORT.

NMCRACKER. APPLICATION FILE-D MAR. 30| |916.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fosmnn w. FORT, or wAco, TEXAS.

NUTCRACVKERV. A

Specieation of Letters Patent.

Application led March 3Q, 1916. Serial No. 87,772. Y

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FOSTER W. FORT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waco, in the county of McLennan and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Nutcrackers, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to nut crackers of that type particularly adapted for cracking nuts that are round or oblong and whereby the nuts are broken or caused to bulgeat an intermediate point to .permit the kernels or meats thereof to be removed in unbroken or whole condition. 1

The improved nut cracker involvesr in its organization a relatively fixed or stationary jaw and a movable yjaw or head, the latter being operable by a screw so that the movable jaw may be shifted toward the xed or stationary jaw Vto a readily controllable degree necessary to break or crack a nut vas contradistinguished from that class of nut crackers having an operating lever which is l generally overthrown and very difficult to control to avoid excessive movement of the operative jaw which causesthe breaking of the kernel or meatof the nut. i

The present invention constitutes an improvement on the structure disclosed by U. S. PatentNo. 964,414, granted to FosterW. Fort and Harry T. Cruger, July 12, 1910. The present invention embodies as an essential feature a nut holding trough or guide projecting inwardly into the bodyv of the nut crackerv and extending only partially throughout the length of the latter and engaged by a portion ofthe movable jaw or head to provide a bracing-action between the trough or guide and the said movable head, and also means for positively directing the sliding operation of the movable head relatively to the said trough'or guide.

The nut cracker herein disclosedis of that type which is held in the hand of the operatoror user while cracking a nut,'in a manner similar to the device disclosed by the above noted patent. The nut holding trough, guide or trench forming one of the features of the improvement performs two important functions;l first, to hold the nut in place at a point adjacent rto the fixed jaw for engagement by the movable jawthe latter jaw being guidedxin'its movement by means other than the said trough, guide or trench; and, second, to shieldorprotect the hand of the yoperator when cracking a Y nut. The shortened length `of ythe trough,

guide or trench renders the nut cracker less' Y cumbersome in its structure and permits it to be conveniently held in the hand and at the same time for more expeditiously and reliably cracking a nut.

The improvement alsoA embodies features of construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter describedandY claimed.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective vlew of a nut cracker embodyingthe features of the invention. Fig.V 2 is a longitudinal section .taken in the plane of the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken in theplane of the line 3-43, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification o-f the structure of the nut Fig. 5 is a section taken in the plane of theline 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 illus` cracker.

trates detailperspective views of the form of sliding jaw Vor head shownby Fig. 4in reverse position and apart of the trough or guide as used'in the modified structure.

` The nut crackerrepresented in the ldrawings includes in its construction, in both forms illustrated, a relatively iixed or stationary jaw 5 which isformed with a concavity 6 fully opentoward the innerv portion of the nut cracker, thevsalid jaw being a part of or securedto a frame 7 near one end of the said frame. The frame 7 adjacent to the jaw has transversely extending.

wings 8 continuous with side members 9 which converge at their opposite extremitiesY or aprevconnected to an interiorly threaded bearing or sleeve 10, the inner opposing edges 11 of the side members 9being longitudinally straighty and parallel and provid-l ing side walls kitor an openspace 12.

Extending toward the inner portion of the nut cracker is a segmental trough or guide 13 which projects from the rear portion of the fixed head 5, and in the form oi"y rateneedzoeaiv, 1916.

tuation, the said headjl being readilyshift- Y able in reverse'directions within the open space 12 and formed with laterally projecting arms 16 Yterminally slottedas at 17 .to

embracethe inner straight edgesll of the4 members 9. The movable or shiftable head Vl5 also has a concavity 18. formed in 'its' outer portion, as clearly shown by'Fig. 2,u

y 6 of the head 5.

1t will be seen that the trough or guide 13 extends only partially throughout the length of the'body orframe of the nut cracker and centrally `in relationto the space 12, and the movable head or jaw 15 has a longitudinally extendingA spline or projection 19 at the rear portion thereof which is adapted to move loosely inthe slot 14' of the trough or guide 13; and by this means'the movable heady or jaw 15 and the trough or vguide 13 are relatively reinforced and the head or jaw centered in its movement sol that the concavity 18 thereof will hel shifted in alinement' with the concavity 6 of the jaw'f5. The trough or guide 13 serves to hold! the nut to be cracked, the nut being movedalong the trough and the two" ends thereof4 forced into the concavities (3 v,and`18 of the two heads or jaws 5 and 15 asthe head or jaw 15 is shifted or gradually fed toward the head or jaw 5.

The` rear or upper end of the headv or jaw 15Vv is formed with a socket 20' and the metal` therearound is slotted, as at 21, to permit ythe inlet of the said socket to be closed orcontracted relatively to the normal maXimum` diameter thereof in'prelation to a projection or swivel end'22 of a screw rod 23 which works in the sleeve or fixedl collar 1d and hasa hand bar'or lever 24 on the free end thereof or inserted through the said end. a-s shown rand whereby the said j screw rod rorl stein 23 may be caused to progress or recede .relatively to the sleeve or collar 10 and correspondingly move the head or jaw 15. The projection or swivel end or head 22 of the screw rod or stem 23 is flattened, as at 25, torengag'e a correspending flattened end wall 26 of the socket 20 so as to provide a square and positive bearing of the projection or swivel end 22 against Ithe wall 26, particularly when the j AEjaw or head15 is'loeingv adjusted forwardly l or towardthe jaw or head 5 for the purpose ofcracking a nut.

The modified' `structure of `the improved nutqoracke'r as 'shown by Figsr, 5 andl 6 is the same `inr essential particulars or features of construction as the nut cracker shownby Figs.` 1, 2` and 3, and similar reference characters are applied to corresponding. parts.`A The 4differences'`,in con- `struction and involving the modification of the' Knut' cracker, however,y consist in farming@ traag-1i er guide, 27 without 'a slot4 a'ndi'n omitting"v from the` j aw or head 15 4the projection yo'r-"splirre 19. In lieu of the' pfljeetenhof Spline Y, i9; the; head1 15 has pair ,of inwardly eXtndi'ng opposed Y lug'sm-28hy which are'unde'rcutvor grooved, as

at sa, taiigagethe apposite' s idejedges or' the traiga aiguise L27 and' reinforce and Brace the latter as well as center the movement of the headl or jaw 15 during the operation of the latter in cracking a nut. It will be understood that the distance between the outer walls of the undercuts or grooves 29 is slightly greater than the width of the trough or guide 27, but the inwardA extent of thev overhanging portions of the said lugs 28 is less than the width of the trough or guide 27, and hence when the said trough or guidehasits opposite side. edge portions in` engagement withy the undercuts or grooves 29 it cannot move away from' a normal position and is reinforced against strain orl breakage.

The trough `or guide 13 or 27 shields the handy ofthe user ofthe nut cracker against injury by the nut. being cracked, and the improvedA device in its two forms is adapted to be rested in one hand and positively held by grasping the wings 8 adjacent to the jaw or head 5 and the head or jaw 15 then drawn backwardly through apropermovement of the screw rod. or stem 23 until enough space is provided toaccommodajte` theflength ofthe nut to be cracked. The' nut is ,then placed in' the troughl or guide 27 and thek movement of the screw rod or stem 23 reversed solas to cause the jaw` or head 15 to be shifted or gradually moved" with a slidingl action toward'the fixed jaw or head'5, anidduring this latter operation the nut is picked up' and the two ends thereof are automatically seated in the concavities 6 and 18 and the screw stein or rod 23 is rotated to move the jaw or head 15 toward Vthe jaw or heard 5 until the nut is thoroughly crackedV or bulges in the center.

During thisloperation offcracking a nut thek latter is braced against the trough or guide 13 or` 27 and the hand of the operator is shielded, and contactV of the broken'edges ofthe shell with theI hand of the' operator is prevented; After the j nut has been cracked to the required degree thejaw or head 15 is operatedto recedev from ythe jawl pleasing appearance. The movable head inV V theV 'two forms of the device bymeans of either the projection 'or' spline 19 or the grooved lugs 28 is held in perfect alinement relatively to the head or jaw 5, and at the Sametime the hand of the operator is shieldi ed and protected through the medium of the trough, guide ror trench which extends par! tiall'y throughout the length of the improved cracker. It is'impossible for the movable jaw or head 15 to wabble or become laterally displaced while cracking a Vnut and it has been found that the more perfect the alinenient ofthe nuts to be cracked relatively to the two heads or jaws 5 and 15 the more efiicient the work that can be accomplished. l

, It is proposed to construct the nut cracker in various sizes and to use any material in the manufacture of the same that may be best adapted for the purpose.

What is claimed is: o

1. A nut cracker comprising a frame having a fixed jaw with a concavity and a trench extending partially over the length of theiframe and clear of the main portion of said frame, a slidable jaw movable toward and from the fixed jaw and also hav- -ingaconcavity, the slidable jaw being proengage the trench.

3. A nut cracker which is held in the hand when operated comprising a frame, a relatively stationary and a movable jaw,

the ltwo jaws being provided with comple-` mental nut receiving concavities, and a xed nut holding trench extending inwardly partway over the length of the frame from one end of the latter to guide a nut relatively to the stationary jaw and to shield the hand of the operator.

4. A nut cracker which is held in the hand when operated comprising a frame, a relatively stationary and a movable jaw, the two jaws being provided with complemental nut receiving concavities, a fixed nut holding trench extending inwardly partway over in suspended relation to the frame for cooperation with the movable jaw to guide a nut relatively to the stationary jaw and to shield the hand of the operator.

5. A nut cracker which is held in the hand when operated comprising a frame, relatively stationary and movable recessed jaws and a fixed suspended nut holding Y trench of less length than the frame and engageable by the movable jaw during part of the operation of the latter jaw to support the trenchl when under strain due to the Y cracking pressure on the nut by they said movable jaw.

6. A nut cracker comprising a frame with Y a recessed fixedv jaw at one end and an open space and side members,r a'fixed nut holding trench extending inwardly from the fixed jaw partway of the length of the frame,` a f movable recessedV j a-w having means slidably` engaging the` side members 'of the frame within saidspace and other means to enthe movable jaw.

gage the trench, and means for operatingV 7. A nut cracker comprising a frame with a recessed fixed jaw at one end and an open space andside members, a fixed nut holding trench extending inwardlyy from the A'fixed jawpartway of the length of the frame, a movable recessed jaw having means slidably engaging the side members of the frame within said space fand other projecting means to engage the trench, and an operating screw stem swiveled to the movable jaw for shifting the vlatter lengthwiseof the frame.

8. A nut cracker comprising a frame with a fixed recessedy jaw at one end and side members with. an open space therebetween7 a nut holding trench extending from the fixed jaw in central relation to and partway ofthe length of said open space, amovable recessed jaw disposed in said open space and having means at opposite sides slidably -engaging said side members and other projections toV engage the opposite side edges of the trench, vand means for operating said movable jaw. j n Y 9. A nut cracker comprising a frame with a recessed fixed jaw at oney end and sidei members' havingan open space therebetween, anut holding trench extending in central portions of the frame and rear inwardly projecting undercut lugs to engage opposite side edge portions of the trench, and means for operating the movable jaw.

In testimony whereof I have V,hereunto presence of two subscribing set my hand in witnesses. l

' FOSTER W. FORT.

Witnesses; y Y

7 EMMETT S. DEAN,

KATIE A. KINNARD.

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for ve cents each, 'by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtom D. G.

relation to said space from the fixed jaw iio y 

